Bob Eckel's interest in politics started early, when got involved in the political aspect of teachers' organizations. In 1960 he was elected to the HISD Board. He ran for the Commisioner's Court and got elected. According to Eckels, his proudest...

By answering an ad in the Houston Press, Rosalie Clements became an employee of the Shamrock Hotel, which opened on Saint Patrick’s Day, 1949. She began working as an assistant to the hotel’s developer, Glenn McCarthy, and later ran a successful...

Jane Ely describes her career as a journalist working for the Houston Post. She talks about gender discrimination in her field, the coverage of the J.F. Kennedy assassination, and other events that made news at the time.

Green, Ronald--Interviews; African American politicians ; African American laywers ; University of Houston ; Texas Southern University ; African American students--Texas--Houston--20th century ; City council members ; Oral histories

Houston's first African American City Controller discusses growing up in Third Ward, attending University of Houston and Texas Southern University, founding his own law firm and serving the city of Houston as a Councilman and City Controller.

Born in Houston, Peter Roussel followed his parents' footsteps in becoming a journalist. He worked as a Press spokeman for several Presidents and Secretary of State. After moving to Houston from Washington, he became a TV-Radio commentator and...

Robert Eckels describes his experiences as former Harris County judge. He discusses politics in Harris county and in the city of Houston, as well as his involvement in handling the influx of the evacuees from New Orleans during hurricane Katrina,...

James Clouser toured as a dancer with the American Ballet Theatre Company and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. He then taught at the Julliard School of Music before coming to work with the Houston Ballet as ballet master and then choreographer. Upon Nina...

Joseph "Joe" Jamail talks about growing up in Houston in the 1930s and his career as one of the top lawyers in America. He is considered one of the wealthiest lawyers in the nation and is often referred to as the King of Torts. Joe has given...

Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Raul DeAnda came to Houston in 1967. Having obtained a degree in Business Administration, DeAnda worked at several large companies. His interest in social work led him to get...

Bill Lawson, a political activist and civil rights organizer examines his life as a religious leader, and his participation in racial desegregation efforts in the Houston communities during the Civil Rights Movement.

Eldest of four children,Bert L. Long born in 1940, was raised in the Fifth Ward, Houston, Texas. He is a born artist with no formal education in arts, and a born chef. As artist and sculptor, he won many, many awards. Specially notewothy among...

Edsel Cramer went to High school in Houston, and studied art at the Art Institute in Chicago. He was known for his classically inspired portraits and landscapes. Among his portraits are that of Adelaide de Menil (daughter of John and Dominique),...

Billie Carr came from a family interested in politics. Her interest in politics started in 1950s, when she went to a meeting of the Steel Workers' Union of which her husband was the President, and saw the appalling living conditions of the Chicano...

Richard Joel "Nick" Noriega was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1998. Since then he has served 5 terms in this capacity. During hurricane Katrina Mayor Bill White requested his help to oversee the evacuee shelter operations...

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Terry Hershey's interest in the environment contributed to making her an advocate for the conservation of nature. Her venture into the parks and recreation field, fighting against destroying vegetation,led her to raise...